Flight passengers are entering a new era of ultra long-haul travel, where flights are becoming so long, you might get to watch the sun rise twice.
December will see China Eastern Airlines launch what could be the world’s longest direct journey, as the carrier introduces a new route between Pudong International airport in China and Ministro Pistarini International in Argentina.
The endurance test in the skies is predicted to take 25.5 hours, with the return leg even longer at a staggering 29 hours.
The first flight will take off from December 4th, and will see flights MU745 and MU746 covering 12,500 miles and running twice weekly.
Ticket prices for the new route are between £1,130 to £1,670 ($1,525 to $2,254) for economy while business class is priced at around £3,700 ($4,994).
While the path isn’t direct – there’s a two-hour breather in Auckland, New Zealand – its introduction is another indicator that ultra long flights (defined as over 16 hours or more in one go) are set to become increasingly common.
As aviation technology improves, aircraft are lighter and more fuel-efficient, and 2026 will see Australian airline Qantas unveil more ultra long-haul services, including a 20-hour non-stop catapult between London and Sydney.
Dubbed Project Sunrise, the name was inspired by WWII endurance flights, where those on board saw dawn more than once during one journey.
China Eastern Airlines will introduce a new route between Pudong International airport in China and Ministro Pistarini International in Argentina from December – the return journey, with a two-hour stop in Auckland, could take a staggering 29 hours
Qantas’ Project Sunrise launches in 2026, with new non-stop routes Sydney to London and Sydney to New York (Pictured: a cabin on board the airline’s A350-1000 aircraft)
The bespoke version of the A350-1000 aircraft is set to be delivered in October 2026, with the first routes set to be Sydney to London and Sydney to New York, and the aircraft armed with additional fuel tanks to handle the roughly 10,500 miles between the two destinations.
The airline currently already has one of the world’s longest direct flights, a 17-and-a-half-hour slog that connects London with Perth.
The future? Next-gen aircraft can already easily handle up to 19 hours in the air – covering almost half the world and distances of around 15,500km.
And with no sign of supersonic aircraft yet ready for commercial use, it looks like whiling away near days at 30,000ft is very much on the horizon.
So, ahead of Project Sunrise and China Eastern Airlines’ epic new service to South America, what are the world’s current longest flights?
THE WORLD’S TOP TEN LONGEST FLIGHTS
New York (JFK) to Singapore (SIN)
AIRLINE: Singapore Airlines
Singapore Airlines, regularly voted one of the world’s best airlines doesn’t have economy on either of its Singapore to Newark or New York routes (Pictured: A first class ‘Suites’ cabin on a Singapore Airlines flight)
AVERAGE FLIGHT TIME: 18 hours and 55 minutes
DISTANCE: 15,349 km
Currently the world’s longest commercial flight, Singapore Airlines’ SQ23/SQ24 flights asks passengers to sit for just shy of 19 hours…but rewards them with a 15,000km-in-one-go trip that otherwise would require a stopover.
The route, onboard the Ultra Long Haul Airbus 350 – 900, has been flying since late 2020, with flights departing the Big Apple at 10:30pm, and comes at a price – there is no cattle class onboard, only Premium Economy and Business Class.
Newark (EWR) to Singapore (SIN)
AIRLINE: Singapore Airlines
AVERAGE FLIGHT TIME: Up to 19 hours and 10 minutes
DISTANCE: 15,344 km
Singapore Airlines’ flight from Newark to Singapore takes around 19 hours and 10 minutes
Similar to the New York to Singapore route – Newark is just across the way in New Jersey, and this one can take over 19 hours.
Again, travelling on the Ultra Long Haul Airbus 350 – 900, the service doesn’t entertain economy class travellers, with the airline deeming so many hours in the sky requiring an upgrade in comfort to make it work.
New York (JFK) to Auckland (AKL)
AIRLINE: Air New Zealand and Qantas
AVERAGE FLIGHT TIME: 17 hours 40 minutes
DISTANCE: 14207 miles
A Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner does the job of getting passengers to New Zealand from the America’s east coast, with two carriers, Air New Zealand and Qantas, now offering the route.
Economy is very much present on these routes, with most of the seats on the plane in the standard cabin – though the Skycouch, where economy seats pull out into a bed-style set up, take up several rows. There are nearly 40 Business and premium economy seats too.
Coming in 2026: Air New Zealand’s Economy Skynest includes six beds that are two metres in length and 58 centimetres in width at the shoulder area
Next year will see passengers in standard class be able to give the Skynest a whirl too.
These lie-flat ‘bunks’ are expected to be a hit with ultra long-haul passengers.
The Skynest was the result of three years of research into customer needs – with many pointing out the need for a personal space where passengers can fully relax and sleep on long-haul flights.
It features a secluded section with six bunk beds – three on each side – that are two metres long and 58 centimetres wide at the shoulder area.
Perth (PER) to London (LHR)
AIRLINE: Qantas
AVERAGE FLIGHT TIME: 17 hours and 45 minutes
DISTANCE: 14,004 km
Reaching Perth’s beautiful beaches, including Scarborough Beach, is possible from the UK without a layover; since 2018 Qantas has offered a London to Perth flight
HOW TO STAY SANE ON AN ULTRA LONG-HAUL FLIGHTBeware bassinets. Look at seat plans to see where the babies’ baskets are, and keep your distanceMove fast. If you spot empty seats after the plane doors have closed, grab one early. If you can’t move before take-off, go as soon as the seatbelt sign is offWrap a cotton pillow case from home around an inflatable pillow. Fans say that this tricks the brain into sleep modeCharm the crew. One passenger is rude, one is friendly… guess who gets extra drinks and snacksWear shoes to the loo or you’ll spend the rest of the flight wondering if the wet patch on your socks is really water…If you have forgotten your charger, listening to podcasts and audiobooks use less battery power than movies and gamesFasten your seatbelt over any blanket so the crew can see it, and they won’t disturb you if you’re sleeping when turbulence is anticipatedLayer up. Crew say it’s impossible to pick a temperature that pleases everyone. Happy flyers have hoodies, cardies, scarves or overshirtsNoise-cancelling headphones can transform flights. But remember you’re wearing them when you talk or you’ll be ‘that person’ who shoutsDon’t cross your legs. To cut the risk of deep vein thrombosis, keep them straight, flex your toes every now and then and stay hydrated
A game-changer when it first launched in March 2018 as the first non-stop commercial flight to Australia from the UK, the flight – now aboard a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner – has since simply become one of many ultra long-haul services.
The Middle East and Asia have traditionally been stopovers for those heading Down Under from the UK – and still are.
But this route means it’s one stop and you’re home if you hail from Perth.
Australia’s enormous, though, so getting from Perth to Sydney requires another four-hour flight.
San Francisco (SFO) to Bengaluru (BLR)
AIRLINE: Air India
AVERAGE FLIGHT TIME: 17 hours and 22 minutes
DISTANCE: 14,004 km
Air India, still reeling from the Flight 171 crash in June which claimed 260 lives, operates one ultra long-haul route, from America’s west coast to India’s south
Air India, still reeling from the Flight 171 crash in June which claimed 260 lives, operates one ultra long-haul route, from America’s west coast to India’s south.
It is the longest Boeing 777-200L service in use and there’s a specific reason behind the route – it connects two of the world’s leading technology regions: Silicon Valley and Bengaluru, India’s equivalent.
Auckland (AKL) to Doha (DOH)
AIRLINE: Qatar Airways
AVERAGE FLIGHT TIME: 17 hours and 20 minutes
DISTANCE: 14533 km
Regularly voted one of the best business class products in the world, Qatar Airways Qsuite Business Class will make the hours tick down, and even those in standard seat get more leg room than on your average airline.
Popular for New Zealanders who want to be closer to the rest of the world, it’s used as a connecting flight to Europe, Asia and Africa too.
Regularly voted one of the best business class products in the world, Qatar Airways Qsuite Business Class will make the hours tick down, and even those in standard seat get more leg room than on your average airline
If you need to layover, then Doha’s Hamad International Airport isn’t a bad place to do it; it’s regularly named the best in the world by Skytrax, dubbed the ‘Oscars of aviation’.
Los Angeles (LAX) to Singapore (SIN)
AIRLINE: Singapore Airlines
AVERAGE FLIGHT TIME: 17 hours 30 minutes
DISTANCE: 14,114 km
Another route that serves the business communities in Singapore and California well, and it’s also popular with South East Asian travellers who want to explore North America, without a lengthy stopover.
Passengers take off in the Airbus A350-900ULR and there’s no economy option, only Business and premium economy.
Dallas (DFW) to Melbourne (MEL)
Downtown Dallas; the Texan city’s biggest airport, Fort Worth, has two ultra long-haul flights to Australian destinations, including Sydney and Melbourne
AIRLINE: Qantas
AVERAGE FLIGHT TIME: 17 hours and 35 minutes
DISTANCE: 14,472 km
Cutting out US hub Los Angeles, where most long haul flights have to layover from Oz, this Qantas flight is aboard a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner and has all cabins on board.
Round trip deals start from around £1,300.
Dallas (DFW) to Sydney (SYD)
AIRLINE: Qantas
AVERAGE FLIGHT TIME: 17 hours and 15 minutes
Qantas has some of the world’s longest flights, with Dallas to Melbourne taking 17 hours and 45 minutes with the Aussie airline
DISTANCE: 13,808 km
Another Forth Worth marathon, this time to and from Sydney.
Since August, the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner alternates with the Airbus A380 aircraft to get passengers stateside from Australia’s most popular city.
If only First Class will do, you’re in luck – alongside business, premium economy and coach, there’s 14 seats for those who can afford the price tag.
Auckland (AKL) to Dubai (DXB)
AIRLINE: Emirates
AVERAGE FLIGHT TIME: 17 hours and 20 minutes
DISTANCE: 14,199km
From the setting for JRR Tolkein’s Middle Earth to the glitziest city in the Middle East takes just over 17 hours these days.
Emirates’ two-deck aircraft, an A380, is suitably swish, with one of the world’s best First class offerings as well as Business class lie-flat seats and roomy standard class cabins.
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